Review Time
Bench Africa made our family holiday in Kenya one of the most memorable holiday we ever had. Thank you to the knowledgeable Bench team for making the perfect suggestions and making sure that it all went to plan. Our safari guide in Kenya made every moment fun and interesting. The camps were beautiful and we are planning to return next year. Without question we will be using Bench. Highly recommended!
So, *SO* amazing. Thank-you to Julia and to Bench Africa for the recommendation and then the assistance to get me and my family (wife and two teenage daughters) onto the Makutsi 7-day Safari. Julie was careful to understand what we were looking for in an African Safari and her recommendation far exceeded our expectations.Makutsi was nothing less than incredible for all of us: so welcoming, such an *amazing* variety of animals in close proximity (leopards, lions, elephants, giraffe, rhino, antelope, cheetah, hippo... even a honey-badger!), such knowledgeable and charismatic guides, such a genuine interest in the welfare of the wildlife and the bushland. The family rondavel was very clean and spacious, and the meals were wonderful. Very clearly a family-owned, family-loved and family-run experience.Thank you Makutsi for adopting my family into your family for the special time that we were able to share your world.
We had our first trip to Africa with Bench some 6 years ago and longed to return. Someone said to me once if you could only visit 2 continents in this world twice, visit Africa. Never a truer word spoken. We booked with Bench again late 2019 for Xmas 2021 but little did we know what was around the corner. Our African expert Julie was with us every step of the way organising a trip of a lifetime again and has supported our changes along the way with great excitement for us. Once Covid hit we were of course like all of us in la la land and our trip unfortunately will not come through this year and maybe not nect year either. Bench's attitude with regard to Covid has been superior and they have supported their clients every step of the way. We are currently underway with refunds unfortunately. We will be back to Africa at some point with Bench once this crazy world comes good, we know that and cant wait one day to make our dreams come true once again. Bench has been around a long time and will survive these difficult days
We have used Bench for 2 of our African trips and had a 3rd booked. Everything was perfect on both previous trips and we would never use any other travel agent, why would we , Bench are the African specialists. In relation to our refunds due to Covid, it came through quickly and correctly and the process was stress free. Thanks Maria :)
We visited Makutsi Safari Springs for 6 nights, commencing 14 March 2020.This was organised by Bench Africa as part of a cruise package, Prior to our departure, Bench Africa provided a comprehensive personalised booklet on what was in store at Makutsi. On arrival we were advised by our travel agent that our 27 night cruise from Capetown to Athens had been cancelled.After a warm welcome we settled into our comfortable rondavel and decided to make the most of this now very short holiday.It turned out to be a fantastic and unforgettable experience, even though 3 days into our stay we were advised that the Australian Govt. wanted all Australians to return home as soon as possible.We were treated to up close and personal experiences; on our first game drive our vehicle sat in the middle of a lion and lioness and two young lions feeding on their kill. More of the pride were sitting in the river bed just out of sight. Day two our guide found the pregnant female cheetah. He happened to be in charge of the cheetah breeding programme and after he alighted from our open safari vehicle, the cheetah got up and walked over to him .Less than an hour later in a different section of the park, three more cheetahs crossed the track a little ahead of our vehicle.We were told we would be unlikely to see elephants during our stay as they had migrated to the southern end of the park. However, we were told we would see several on our day trip to Kruger National Park. We enjoyed our day at Kruger and saw a wide variety and number of animals. Then on our last game drive at Makutsi, our guide followed elephant tracks, and we were treated to almost an hour among a herd of 19 elephants, a huge 30+ year old bull down to two babies. These were very up close and personal (and a bit scary but SO exhilarating.) There was no shortage of wild animals to be seen during our four game drives, including a night game drive. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic.Another highlight was a day trip to Blyde River Canyon in the beautiful Drakensburg Mountains.Our stay was made very enjoyable by the friendly staff, beautiful meals, the indoor and outdoor natural thermal spring pools, and many of the animals grazing around the camp. Sadly, due to coronavirus and the travel restrictions, the camp was to temporarily close and most of the staff leave, shortly after our departure.
The biggest of thank you's to Lara, Maria & the team at Bench for going above and beyond to organise our dream honeymoon to Kenya, Uganda and Zanzibar. It was everything and more than we had dreamed of!Maria was exceptionally helpful and patient with all our questions, changes and calls! Highlights were gorilla trekking in Uganda and Giraffe Manor - two unbeatable experiences I would recommend to anyone! We're in love with Africa and we'll definitely be booking via Bench again next time!
We had a terrible experience at our hotel in Cape Town booked by Bench Africa and were directed to Zambia, rather than Zimbadwe, to see Vic Falls, when it is common knowledge in the travel industry that there is little water in the Falls on Zambian side and we could not get back to Zim side due to problem with visas, so we were denied seeing the most important part of our African experience; also the reception at our hotel in Livingstone insisted that we were Americans from DC and we spent 45 minutes before they reluctantly gave a us room, without functioning airconditioning, despite it being 35 degrees c , until the morning of our departure when the AC started operating!Our 6 days in Makutsi Safari Park near Kruger was sensational and the Cresta Mowana in Kasane was also wonderful as we saw all the animals with wonderful guides and terrific accommodation and these 2 experiences made up for the hopelessness of the hotels in CT and Livingstone.Overall, we refused to allow the 2 bad experiences to spoil our African experience and we are booked to return to Africa to experience more of its wonder and we are taking friends back with us so they can share our wonder too.We told Bench Africa about our horrible time at the CT hotel and the disappointment of not experiencing the wonders of Vic Falls , but apart from a promise to look into why it all happened , we have heard nothing back and assume we were consigned to the "too busy" basket.
This is now our fourth trip to Africa with Bench International and this last trip we had the pleasure of sharing the experience with friends. Again our experience surpassed expectations in every way. The properties we stayed at : Madikwe Hills, Leopard Hills and King's camp provided luxury accommodation, exceptional service, wonderful food and fantastic game drives. What more could you ask for? It is just hard to fault any aspect of this holiday. We would like to thank Julie De Palo at Bench for again helping us with all the arrangements for this special trip, providing us with more amazing memories. It will not be our last trip to Africa!
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Family-run since 1969, Bench Africa specialises in small group tours and tailormade journeys across Africa, offering authentic and immersive travel experiences for discerning travellers. With offices based in Australia and dedicated local operations on the ground in Africa, every detail is carefully coordinated to maintain exceptional standards and ensure smooth, seamless journeys from start to finish.
Bench Africa designs customised itineraries that connect guests with Africa’s diverse wildlife, rich cultures, and stunning landscapes. Whether exploring iconic destinations like the Serengeti, Okavango Delta, Kruger National Park, or the Maasai Mara, or discovering lesser-known gems off the beaten path, each safari is crafted to suit individual interests and travel styles.
Specialising in both personalised private safaris and small group tours, Bench Africa provides expert guidance throughout the planning process and on the ground. This hands-on approach, supported by experienced local guides and knowledgeable teams, creates meaningful connections with Africa’s natural environment and local communities.
Beyond wildlife viewing, the safaris often include cultural encounters, opportunities to support conservation efforts, and authentic experiences that reveal the true spirit of Africa. With a commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism, Bench Africa ensures that travel has a positive impact on the regions visited.
Whether it’s a luxury safari, a family safari, a solo adventure, or a tailormade honeymoon, Bench Africa’s careful planning and genuine care deliver memorable and meaningful journeys that leave lasting impressions. The combination of extensive local knowledge, personalised service, and a passion for Africa’s wild places makes Bench Africa a trusted choice for travellers seeking in-depth and unforgettable safari experiences.See more
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